Construction zone detection using a plurality of information sources

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

• receiving map information related to a prior map of a road of travel of a vehicle, wherein the map information includes road traffic sign information that indicates locations and types of traffic signs that existed on the road;
• detecting, using one or more sensors coupled to the vehicle, a traffic sign, and determining that the traffic sign is missing from the map information;
• in response to at least determining that the detected traffic sign is missing from the map information determining a likelihood of existence of a construction zone on the road;
• in response to the likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, detecting one or more construction zone objects;
• determining a severity of road changes based on a number and locations of the one or more construction zone objects;
• and
• controlling the vehicle based on the likelihood and the severity of road changes.

A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

• one or more sensors coupled to the vehicle;
• one or more processors in communication with the one or more sensors;
• and
• memory configured to store instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the control system to perform functions comprising:
• receiving map information related to a prior map of a road of travel of a vehicle, wherein the map information includes road traffic sign information that indicates locations and types of traffic signs that existed on the road;
• detecting, using one or more sensors coupled to the vehicle, a traffic sign, and determining that the traffic sign is missing from the map information;
• in response to at least determining that the detected traffic sign is missing from the map information, determining a likelihood of existence of a construction zone on the road;
• in response to the likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, detecting one or more construction zone objects;
• determining a severity of road changes based on a number and locations of the one or more construction zone objects;
• and
• controlling the vehicle based on the likelihood and the severity of road changes.